Stanislav Wawrinka Wins Australian Open, First Career Major

Men's tennis has a new major champion.

28-year old Stanislav Wawrinka finished off his amazing run at the Australian Open with the championship, as he beat Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 to win his first career Grand Slam title. (highlights below)

Long overshadowed by countryman Roger Federer, Wawrinka's road to the title in Melbourne included an upset over #2 Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals, as well as Tomas Berdych in the semifinals.

Nobody expected him to be able to compete with the Nadal, who was going for his 14th major, in the final, though. But incredible shot making from the get-go helped the Swiss control most of the match, as he won the first two sets easily, even almost forcing an early retirement due to a back injury from Nadal. After Nadal came back to win the third, Wawrinka closed it out in the fourth.

"Last year I had a crazy match, I lost it [in the fourth round to Novak Djokovic]. I was crying a lot after the match. But in one year a lot happened -- I still don't know if I'm dreaming or not but we'll see tomorrow morning."

NFL Picks: Conference Championships

01/19

Patriots		2:00 PM
Broncos

Here we go again, Manning vs. Brady for the 15th time in their careers, with a trip to Super Bowl XLVIII on the line in Denver. If New England can continue to run the ball as well as they have done the last couple of weeks, as well as pressure Peyton Manning, I think the Patriots can pull off the upset, just as they did in their shocking comeback win in Week 12 in Foxboro. But I think it will be Denver's running game, with Knowshon Moreno and Montee Ball that will wear down the New England front seven, allowing them to advance.

49ers		5:30 PM
Seahawks

The bitter, nasty rivalry continues in the NFC Title game, with San Francisco and Seattle matching up for the third time this year. I think it comes down to QB play in this one. The 49ers have the best linebacking core in football with Aldon Smith, Navarro Bowman, Patrick Willis, and Ahmad Brooks, so Marshawn Lynch should have problems running the ball, so it'll be up to Russell Wilson to make plays in the passing game for Seattle to move the ball, something they haven't done well in the last month. On the other side, Colin Kaepernick will have to extinguish his demons against Seattle's legion of boom secondary and get the ball to Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree on time and on target. In the end, I like Wilson better, with the 12th Man behind him.

Last week: 2-2
Season record: 168-95

NBA All-Star Voting

NBA All-Star voting ends on Monday. So if you haven't voted yet, be sure to vote at NBA.com. The players I voted for are below.

NFL Picks: Divisional Playoffs

01/11

Saints		3:35 PM
Seahawks

New Orleans won their first road playoff game in team history last week in Philly, riding a surprisingly effective rushing attack and strong rush defense to victory. In order to win again this week in Seattle, where they were embarrassed on Monday night in Week 13, they'll have to duplicate that rushing success to take pressure off QB Drew Brees going against the Seahawks' #1 pass defense. Game might actually be lower scoring than expected, with Rob Ryan's defense playing well and Seattle's offense in a month-long slump, but can't pick against the 12th Man and the 'Hawks D.

Colts		7:15 PM
Patriots

Indy is definitely riding high after last weekend's epic 28-point comeback against KC. Key in this game will be whether the Colts can run the ball, control the clock, and get pressure on Tom Brady. I think they can, and although it probably isn't wise to pick against Belichick and Brady in Foxboro, I'll go with the hot team.

01/12

49ers		12:05 PM
Panthers

Game of the week is in Charlotte this week, between two teams that are built on dominant defenss, a great running games, and young athletic quarterbacks. Carolina won the first meeting in the Bay Area, and I can't pick against Greg Hardy, Luke Keuchly, and the Panthers DST (my fantasy DST) at home.

Chargers		3:40 PM
Broncos

AFC West showdown with red-hot Chargers looking to continue to their storybook run at Mile Hile Stadium. If San Diego can control time of possession by running the ball with effectively with Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead, they have a chance. But I think Peyton Manning will make plays in the passing game that Andy Dalton wasn't able to make last week.

Last week: 2-2
Season record: 166-93

Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2014

For the first time since 1999, the Baseball Writers of America elected three players to the Hall of Fame, as pitchers Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, as well as DH Frank Thomas all will be enshrined in Cooperstown on July 27 this year.

Maddux was a no-brainer first ballot Hall of Famer, as he won 355 games, 8th-most in major league history, winning four Cy Young Awards and posting a 3.16 ERA in his 23 seasons, mostly with the Braves and the Cubs.

Glavine, similarly, was a no-brainer selection, winning 305 games, good for fourth-most among left-handed pitchers, winning 2 Cy Young awards, and posting five 20-win seasons in a 22-year career with the Braves and Mets.

Thomas, a long-time DH with the White Sox was also deserving, as he hit .301 lifetime, with 521 home runs and 1704 RBI in 19 major-league seasons, winning two MVP awards.

However, for the second straight year, lifetime Astro Craig Biggio was snubbed from the Hall of Fame, as he received only 74.8% of the votes, missing election by two votes. Absolutely ridiculous that he isn't in yet. His credentials speak for themselves:

• 668 doubles, most ever by a right-handed hitter
• 3060 hits, third all-time among second basemen
• 1844 runs, most all-time among second basemen
• 291 homeruns, second most all-time among second basemen
• 285 hit by pitch, second most all-time

Not to mention he played four different positions (catcher, 2B, LF, CF) and was the face of the Astros franchise during his 20 year career.

So, while he'll get in next year for sure (he better), it's a slap in the face that he, his family, and Houstonians that he hasn't been voted in already.

Florida State Wins Classic BCS Championship Game

In one of the best BCS Championship games of all-time (rivaling USC-Texas in 2006), #1 Florida State won its third championship in school history, rallying from an 18-point first half deficit to defeat #2 Auburn 34-31 in the BCS Championship Game in Pasadena, California.

After an amazing start fueled by Auburn's defensive backs shutting down Florida State's wide receivers and Jameis Winston struggling mightily to even complete passes, the Tigers jumped out to a 21-3 following a Winston fumble in his own territory and a subsequent touchdown run from Nick Marshall.

But a gutsy call by FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher on a 4th and 4 at their own 40-yard line for a fake funt kept the drive alive, eventually resulting in a Devonta Freeman touchdown that cut it to 21-10 at halftime.

In the second half, FSU's defense dominated, holding Auburn to a field goal before one of the greatest finishes in BCS history occurred.



So goodbye BCS, it's been fun arguing about you. A crazy finish in your final game only seemed fitting.

BCS National Championship Preview

It's been 30 days since they last played, but the final BCS Championship Game is finally here, as tonight #1 Florida State and #2 Auburn will play for the national championship (7:30 PM CT, ESPN) at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA.

Couple quick thoughts about the game:
1. Jameis Winston will try to become the latest Heisman Trophy winner to win a national championship, after Cam Newton last accomplished that feat in 2010.
2. Big key match-up will be Florida State's explosive offense, led by Winston and outstanding receivers Kelvin Benjamin and Rashad Greene against Auburn's defense, which finished dead last in the SEC in pass defense. In order to win a final BCS title for the SEC, the Tigers will have to limit the big plays by FSU in the passing game.
3. On the flip side, Auburn will try to control the clock by running the ball early and often with Heisman-finalist RB Tre Mason, as well as QB Nick Marshall. Although FSU's defense is ranked 1st in scoring and has future NFL players at all three levels (DT Timmy Jernigan, LB Telvin Smith, CB Lamarcus Joyner), they have not faced as potent an attack in the ACC as they will see tonight with Auburn.
4. Is Auburn a team of destiny? Their miracle finishes against Georgia and Alabama certainly make you think they just might be able to pull it off, despite being a 10.5 point underdog.
5. Will the SEC finally lose a BCS title game? The SEC conference has won the last 7 BCS championships, and has won 9 of the 15 in the BCS-era. Can Florida State end the streak in the final year before the college football playoff? Given the SEC's lackluster play in other bowls (Texas A&M needing furious comeback against Duke in Chick fil A Bowl, Alabama losing to Oklahoma in Sugar Bowl), I think the SEC was a little weaker this year, and their streak ends tonight.

#1 Florida State 37, #2 Auburn 30

NFL Picks: Wildcard Weekend

01/04

Chiefs		3:35 PM
Colts

Rematch of Week 16 matchup, which Indy's defense dominated at Arrowhead Stadium in KC. Indy is at home this time around and as long as their defense can hold Jamaal Charles in check, they should be able to advance. 

Saints		7:10 PM
Eagles

Could be a shootout in Philly, with Drew Brees and Nick Foles anchoring two explosive offenses. But New Orleans is absolutely awful outside in the cold weather, and I think Philadelphia's running game with LeSean McCoy turns out to be difference maker.

01/05 Chargers 12:05 PM Bengals

San Diego squeaked in against KC's backups last week, setting up this rematch of a Week 13 game won by the Bengals in California. I think Cincy wins again, behind a red-hot offense led by Andy Dalton and Giovanni Bernard.

49ers		3:40 PM
Packers

Marquee matchup of the weekend, in my opinion, with a rematch of last year's divisional playoff, won by the 49ers. Even in sub-zero degree weather, expect a lot of points, with a mediocre Green Bay and a struggling Niners defense. In the end, I think Frank Gore and San Francisco's running game to prove vital in controlling time of possession and limiting Aaron Rodgers' time on the field.

Last week: 13-3
Season record: 164-91